Charles Barkley did not hold back as the NBA shared its most traditional day with another league. As basketball tipped off on Christmas, the Hall of Famer turned analyst delivered a blunt message that grabbed headlines instantly. Speaking on national television, Barkley questioned why the NBA no longer gets the stage to itself. Barkley made sure to share his frustration directly at the NFL and its leadership.The comments came as the NBA rolled out a full slate of marquee matchups, all airing on ABC. At the same time, the NFL scheduled multiple games on Christmas Day. Barkley believes it has prompted one of his most animated on-air moments this season.
Charles Barkley criticizes NFL for Christmas takeover
Charles Barkley addressed the issue during the broadcast with language that left little room for interpretation. He framed Christmas as a day long associated with professional basketball and accused the NFL of pushing beyond reasonable limits.“The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA, via Colin Salao on Inside The NBA. “We used to have this day to ourselves, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. Christmas is an NBA day.”The NBA scheduled five high-profile games featuring teams like the Knicks, Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets. Meanwhile, the NFL placed three games on the same holiday, all streamed on Netflix. It was the fifth straight season in which the league scheduled multiple Christmas contests. With that move, the league showed that the approach is no longer experimental.Christmas has long been one of the NBA’s most visible stages, often producing memorable moments and strong ratings without direct competition from other major sports.
Are NFL Christmas games a threat to the NBA?
The NFL’s presence on Christmas has continued to grow. This year’s NFL slate included teams dealing with absent quarterbacks, which affected the overall quality of play. Still, the league moved forward, confident in its ability to draw viewers regardless of circumstance.Barkley made clear that his stance goes beyond scheduling inconvenience. For him, the issue centers on identity and tradition.“Christmas is an NBA day,” he said.While the NFL has not publicly responded to Barkley’s comments, the ratings landscape suggests why the league continues to expand. Christmas games now represent another opportunity to dominate a national audience, even at the expense of long-standing norms.Also Read: “I’m ready to get home” — Stephen Curry shares heartfelt message for wife Ayesha Curry following Christmas Day game win
